I love Sphynx cats

The Sphynx (aka Canadian Hairless) is a rare breed of cat with extremely little fur, or at most a short fuzz over its body, and no, or very short and stiff whiskers (vibrissae). Their skin is the color their fur would be, and all the usual cat marking patterns (solid, point, van, tabby, tortie, etc) may be found in Sphynx too. They are sometimes mistaken for Chihuahuas because of their extremely unusual and, some say, uncatlike appearance. They are extremely intelligent, extroverted, and affectionate, often cuddling with their owners, other humans, and each other.

The Sphynx breed is known for a sturdy, heavy body (many cats of this breed also develop a pot belly), a wedge-shaped head, and an alert, friendly temperament. Although hairless cats have been reported throughout history (hairless cats seem to appear naturally about every 15 years or so), and breeders in Canada have been working on the Sphynx breed since the early 1960s, the current American and European Sphynx breed is descended from two lines of natural mutations:

* Dermis and Epidermis (1975) from the Pearsons of Wadena, MN, USA and
* Bambi, Punkie, and Paloma (1978) found in Toronto, ON, Canada and raised by Shirley Smith.

Other hairless breeds might have different body shapes or temperaments than those described above. There are, for example, new hairless breeds, including the Don Sphynx and the Peterbald from Russia, which arose from their own spontaneous mutations. The standard for the Sphynx differs between TICA and FIFE.

Sphynx hairlessness is produced by an allele of the same gene that produces the Cornish Rex, which has only one of the usual two fur coats. The Sphynx allele is incompletely dominant over the Devon allele; both are recessive to the wild type. Sphynx were at one time crossbred with Devon Rex in an attempt to strengthen this gene, but unfortunately this led to serious dental or nervous-system problems and is now forbidden in most breed standards associations. The only allowable outcross breeds in the CFA are now the American Shorthair and Domestic Shorthair. Other associations have different rules. In Europe mainly Devon Rex has been used for outcrosses.

Some blood lines do carry the genes that make them Hypoallergenic and testing is now being done to find those lines by UC Davis. As a breed, Sphynx cats are not hypoallergenic, in fact they can be even worse for severely allergic people than furred cats. But because they do not deposit hair on furniture or clothing, they tend to be easier to clean up after, and therefore often less troublesome to mildly allergic owners. Some notice symptoms but handle it by bathing and cleaning them slightly more often than one would otherwise. Due to the skin having very little hair to protect it, it can often become oily and dirty. Therefore, regular bathing of the cat is recommended, with a gentle and hypoallergenic soap.

Care should be taken to limit the Sphynx cat's exposure to outdoor sunlight at length, as they can develop a sunburn, similar to that of human exposure. In general, Sphynx cats should never be allowed outdoors unattended, as they have limited means to conserve body heat in colder temperatures, and their curious nature can take them into dangerous places or situations.

GENERAL: the most distinctive feature of this cat is its appearance of hairlessness. The Sphynx is of medium size and body conformation with surprising weight for its size. Females are generally smaller than males. The body feels warm and soft to the touch, with a skin texture akin to either a soft peach or a smooth nectarine. The Sphynx is sweet-tempered, lively, and amenable to handling.

HEAD: the head is a modified wedge, slightly longer than it is wide, with prominent cheekbones, a distinctive whisker break and whisker pads giving a squared appearance to the muzzle. The skull is slightly rounded with a flat plane in front of the ears. The nose is straight and there is a slight to moderate palpable stop at the bridge of the nose.

CHEEKS AND CHEEKBONES: prominent, rounded cheekbones which define the eye and form a curve above the whisker break.

MUZZLE AND CHIN: whisker break with prominent whisker pads. Strong, well developed chin forming perpendicular line with upper lip.

EARS: large to very large. Broad at the base, open and upright. When viewed from the front, the outer base of the ear should begin at the level of the eye, neither low set nor on top of the head. The interior of the ears is naturally without furnishing.

EYES: large, lemon-shaped, with wide-open center while coming to a definite point on each side. Placement should be at a slight upward angle, aligning with the outer base of the ear. Eyes to be wide set apart with the distance between the eyes being a minimum of one eye width. Eye color immaterial.

BODY: the body is medium length, hard and muscular with broad rounded chest and full round abdomen. The rump is well rounded and muscular. Back line rises just behind the shoulder blades to accommodate longer back legs when standing. Boning is medium.

NECK: the neck is medium in length, rounded, well muscled, with a slight arch. Allowance to be made for heavy musculature in adult males.

LEGS AND FEET: legs are medium in proportion to the body. They are sturdy and well muscled with rear legs being slightly longer than the front. Paws are oval with well-knuckled toes; five in front and four behind. The paw pads are thick, giving the appearance of walking on cushions.

TAIL: slender, flexible, and long while maintaining proportion to body length. Whip-like, tapering to a fine point.

COAT/SKIN: the appearance of this cat is one of hairlessness. Short, fine hair may be present on the feet, outer edges of the ears, the tail, and the scrotum. The bridge of the nose should be normally coated. The remainder of the body can range from completely hairless to a covering of soft peach-like fuzz whose length does not interfere with the appearance of hairlessness. This coat/skin texture creates a feeling of resistance when stroking the cat. Wrinkled skin is desirable, particularly around the muzzle, between the ears, and around the shoulders. There are usually no whiskers but if whiskers are present they are short and sparse.

COLOR: color and pattern are difficult to distinguish and should not affect the judging of the cat. White lockets, buttons, or belly spots are allowed.

PENALIZE: hair other than described. Delicate or frail appearance. Thin abdomen, thin rump, or narrow chest. Bowed front legs. Should not resemble the Devon Rex, Cornish Rex or Oriental body type.

DISQUALIFY: kinked or abnormal tail. Structural abnormalities. Aggressive behavior endangering the judge.

GENERAL: all colors and patterns, in any combination, found in felines is acceptable.

WHITE: white to pink. Nose leather and paw pads: pink.

BLACK: black. One level tone from nose to tip of tail. Nose leather: black. Paw pads: black or brown.

BLUE: blue. One level tone from nose to tip of tail. Nose leather and paw pads: blue.

RED: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red, without markings. Lips and chin the same color as the skin. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red.

CREAM: one level shade of buff cream, without markings. Nose leather and paw pads: pink.

CHOCOLATE: rich chestnut brown, even throughout. Nose leather: brown. Paw pads: brown or cinnamon.

LAVENDER: frosty-grey with a pinkish tone, even throughout. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender-pink.

CINNAMON: cinnamon, even throughout. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon.

FAWN: pale, pinkish fawn, even throughout. Nose leather and paw pads: pale fawn.

CLASSIC TABBY PATTERN: markings clearly defined on legs and tail. Pattern tends to fade on hairless body. Legs evenly barred with bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail evenly ringed. Several unbroken necklaces on neck and upper chest, the more the better. Markings seen on the skin. Frown lines on head form an intricate letter "M" Unbroken line runs back from outer corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are in the shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back markings consist of a vertical line down the spine from butterfly to tail with a vertical stripe paralleling it on each side, the three stripes well separated by stripes of the ground color. Large solid blotch on each side to be encircled by one or more unbroken rings. Side markings should be the same on both sides. Double vertical rows of buttons on chest and stomach.

MACKEREL TABBY PATTERN: markings clearly defined on legs and tail. Pattern tends to fade on hairless body. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest distinct, like so many chains. Head barred with an "M" on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from the eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines run together to form a narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings run around body.

SPOTTED TABBY PATTERN: markings on the body to be spotted. The spots can be round, oblong, or rosette-shaped. Any of these are of equal merit but the spots, however shaped or placed, shall be distinct. Spots should not run together in a broken Mackerel pattern. A dorsal stripe runs the length of the body to the tip of the tail. The stripe is ideally composed of spots. The markings on the face and forehead shall be typically tabby markings. Underside of the body to have "vest buttons." Legs and tail are barred. Markings clearly defined on legs and tail. Pattern tends to fade on hairless body.

PATCHED TABBY PATTERN: a patched tabby (torbie) is an established silver, brown, blue, lavender, fawn, cinnamon or chocolate tabby with patches of red or cream clearly defined on both the body and extremities; a blaze on the face is desirable.

SILVER TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, pale clear silver. Markings dense black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black.

BROWN TABBY: skin ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Back of leg black from paw to heel. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black or brown.

BLUE TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, pale bluish ivory. Markings a very deep blue affording a good contrast with skin ground color. Nose leather: old rose. Paw pads: rose.

RED TABBY: skin ground color red. Markings deep, rich red. Lips and chin red. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red.

CREAM TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, very pale cream. Markings buff or cream sufficiently darker than the ground color to afford good contrast but remaining within the dilute color range. Nose leather and paw pads: pink.

CHOCOLATE (Chestnut) TABBY: skin ground color is warm fawn, markings are rich chestnut brown. Nose leather: chestnut, or pink rimmed with chestnut. Paw pads: cinnamon.

CHOCOLATE-SILVER TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, is silver. Markings rich chestnut. Nose leather: chestnut or pink rimmed with chestnut. Paw pads: cinnamon.

CINNAMON TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, a pale, warm honey, markings a dense cinnamon, affording a good contrast with skin ground color. Nose leather: cinnamon or coral rimmed with cinnamon. Paw pads: cinnamon.

CINNAMON-SILVER TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, a pale glistening silver. Markings dense cinnamon. Nose leather: cinnamon. Paw pads: coral.

LAVENDER TABBY: skin ground color is pale lavender. Markings are a rich lavender, affording a good contrast with skin ground color. Nose leather: lavender, or pink rimmed with lavender. Paw pads: lavender-pink.

LAVENDER-SILVER TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, a cold clear silver. Markings lavender. Nose leather: lavender or pink rimmed with lavender. Paw pads: lavender-pink.

FAWN TABBY: skin ground color, including lips and chin, pale ivory, markings dense fawn, affording good contrast with skin ground color. Nose leather and paw pads: pale fawn.

TORTOISESHELL: black mottled or patched with red and/or cream. Blaze on face desirable.

BLUE-CREAM: blue mottled or patched with cream. Blaze on face desirable.

CHOCOLATE (Chestnut) TORTOISESHELL: rich chestnut brown mottled or patched with red and/or cream. Blaze on face desirable.

CINNAMON TORTOISESHELL: cinnamon mottled or patched with red and/or cream. Blaze on face desirable.

LAVENDER-CREAM: lavender mottled or patched with cream. Blaze on face desirable.

FAWN-CREAM: fawn mottled or patched with cream. Blaze on face desirable.

CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of black and red. White predominant on underparts.

VAN CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of black and red confined to the extremities; head, tail, legs. One or two small patches of color on body allowable.

DILUTE CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of blue and cream. White predominant on underparts.

DILUTE VAN CALICO: white with unbrindled patches of blue and cream confined to the extremities; head, tail, legs. One or two small patches of color on body allowable.

BI-COLOR: solid color and white, tabby and white, tortoiseshell and white, pointed and white, any color and white, etc.

VAN BI-COLOR: solid color and white, tabby and white, tortoiseshell and white, etc., with color confined to the extremities; head, tail, and legs. One or two small patches on body allowable.

FAWN CALICO, LAVENDER CALICO, CINNAMON CALICO, CHOCOLATE CALICO: as for calico above, with appropriate marking color.

FAWN VAN CALICO, LAVENDER VAN CALICO, CINNAMON VAN CALICO, CHOCOLATE VAN CALICO: as for van calico labove, with appropriate marking color.

POINTED PATTERN: point restricted colors show little or no color contrast between body and points in the mature Sphynx. Although born very light in color, the pointed Sphynx will darken and appear solid in color as an adult. Eye color: vivid blue. Nose leather and paw pads: appropriate to coat color. The pointed pattern may be combined with ANY other pattern (except mink) and ANY colors, e.g. lilac-silver lynx point and seal-tortie point with white (shown in the Bi-Color Class).

MINK PATTERN: point restricted colors show little or no color differentiation between body and points in the mature Sphynx. Although born very light in color, the mink Sphynx will darken and appear solid in color as an adult. Eye color: aqua. Nose leather and paw pads: appropriate to coat color. The mink pattern may be combined with ANY other pattern (except pointed) and ANY colors, e.g. natural mink, blue mink, champagne mink, platinum mink, natural tabby mink, blue-cream, tortie mink and white (shown in Bi-Color Class).

SABLE: the mature specimen is a rich, warm, sable brown without shadings, barring, or markings of any kind. (Kittens are often lighter in color.) Nose leather and paw pads: brown.

CHAMPAGNE: the mature specimen should be a warm honey beige without shadings, barring, or markings of any kind. Nose leather: light, warm brown. Paw pads: warm, pinkish tan.

PLATINUM: the mature specimen should be a pale, silvery gray without shadings, barring or markings of any kind. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender-pink.

OSC (Other Sphynx Colors): any other color or pattern. Cats with no more than a locket and/or button do not qualify for this class, such cats shall be judged in the color class of their basic color with no penalty for such locket and/or button. Examples: any color with one, two, three, or four white feet. All point restricted colors such as seal point, chocolate point, natural mink, blue mink, sable, champagne, platinum, etc.

STAR (Sphynx Team And Rescue)

CONTACTS:


Brenda
sphynxrescue@sbcglobal.net (Great Lakes and NorthEast)

Nate Brodale sphynxrescue@supermodelsphynx.com
(Western US)

Denna Harmon suedekitty@charter.net
(South East and East Central US)


Nikki Sanders nikki@sphynxter.com
(South East and East Central US)

Angel-Marie Crowley sphynx@baredlux.com
(Midwest)

Ohio Sphynx Rescue

Catchment: Ohio and Great Lakes area

URL: http://www.sphynxrescue.com/

Contact:
Brenda

Email:
sphynxrescue@sbcglobal.net

Western Front Sphynx & Rex Fanciers Rescue

Catchment:
Western USA


URL: http://www.sphynxrescue.com/

Southwest:

Contact: Sherry Schwartz


Email:

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